National Institute of Technology Silchar
MACHINE DESIGN II (ME 307)
TUTORIAL – 2 (CHAIN DRIVE DESIGN)
1. It is needed to design a chain drive to connect a 15 kW 1600 rpm electric motor to a
centrifugal pump running at 800 rpm. The service condition involves the moderate shock.
(i) Select a proper roller chain and enumerate the dimensions.
(ii) Calculate the pitch circle diameters of driving and driven sprockets
(iii) Determine the number of chain links
(iv) Specify the correct center distance between the axes of sprockets.
2. To design a chain drive connecting a 8 kW, 1200 rpm electric motor to a milling machine,
the speed reduction is 3:1. Considering the center distance approximately as 500 mm,
(i) Select a proper roller chain for the drive
(ii) Calculate the number of chain links
(iii) Specify the correct center distance between the axes of sprockets.
3. A four-strand 12.7 mm pitch roller chain transmits 20 kW from a 21-tooth driving sprocket,
which turns at 1200 rpm. The velocity ratio, defined as the ratio of the speed of the input
shaft to that of the output shaft, is 0.25. Determine the tension in the chain. What should be
the length of the chain if the center distance is to be approximately 500 mm.
4. In a roller chain drive, discuss the effect of chain pitch on the impact between chain rollers
and the sprockets. Discuss too, the effect of the number of teeth on the smaller sprocket, on the
range of variation in chain speed due to chordal action. A roller chain of 16 mm pitch is to be
used to transmit 5 kW of power between a 15-tooth driving sprocket that rotates at a constant
speed of 250 rpm and a 50-tooth driven sprocket. Determine: (a) The pitch diameters of the
sprockets (b) The mean chain velocity (c) The output shaft torque, if mechanical efficiency is
100% (d) The velocity of impact between chain rollers and the smaller sprocket.
5. A roller chain drive is to be used to drive a maize shelling mechanism that must operate at
1000 rpm. The power source rotates at 540 rpm and delivers 30 kW. The centre distance of the
drive is approximately 0.61 m. Given that the pitch of the chain is 19 mm and that the smaller
sprocket should have no less than 25 teeth, determine the length of the chain in pitches and
calculate the centre distance. What will be the mean speed of the chain and the percentage
variation in chain speed?
6. An air fan that requires 2.25 kW is to be driven at 300 rpm through a roller chain drive that
has a mechanical efficiency of 90%. The power source is a motor whose speed is 1200 rpm. If
the smaller sprocket should have no less that 19 teeth, determine:
(a) The required motor power
(b) The chain pitch, given that the mean chain speed is 8 m/s
(c) The number of teeth on, and the pitch circle diameter of the sprockets
(d) The length of the chain in number of pitches given that the centre distance in to be 650 mm,
with a small allowance for take up
(e) The higher velocity of impact between the chain rollers and the sprockets.
7. A machine requiring 4.5 kW is to be driven by a motor of 5 kW through a roller chain drive
with a speed reduction ratio of 4:1. The chain has a pitch of 21 mm and the smaller sprocket is
to be of 128 mm pitch circle diameter. If the length of the chain is to be 113 pitches, determine:
(a) The mechanical efficiency of the drive (b) The numbers of teeth on the sprockets and the
pitch circle diameter of the larger sprocket (c) The mean chain velocity if the motor speed is 2
400 rpm (d) The approximate centre distance of the drive, given that the angle of wrap on the
smaller sprocket is 146 degrees. (e) The lower velocity of impact between the chain rollers and
the sprockets.
